With Sourav Ganguly At Helm, Will India Resume Cricketing Ties With Pakistan? His Response

Newly elected BCCI president Sourav Ganguly on Thursday said that resumption of bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan was beyond his decision and would need approval from the prime ministers of both countries. During a press conference in Kolkata, Ganguly was asked whether cricketing ties between India and Pakistan will resume during his tenure. "You have to ask that question to Modi ji and the Pakistani prime minister," he replied.

The BCCI president-elect said that the board would need a green signal from the Indian government for any bilateral series between India and Pakistan since international tours are all through governments. "Of course, we have (to take permission), because international exposure (tours) is all through governments. So, we don't have an answer to that question," the former India captain added.

The ties between India and Pakistan have been complex and largely hostile over the last few years. The last time both countries played a bilateral series was some 7 years ago in 2012, when India hosted Pakistan for a limited-overs series. The BCCI had taken a strong exception to the February 14 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama and asked the ICC to “sever ties with countries from where terrorism emanates”. The Indian cricket board had also considered asking the ICC to boycott Pakistan from the World Cup.

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Earlier on Wednesday, Ganguly had also spoken about the other aspect of the game -- day and night Tests -- and said that Indian team under Virat Kohli is capable of doing well in the format. "Day-night Test is the way forward. Every country has to play day-night Test, that's a long-term future for Test cricket. They (India) are a good side, they will win day-night Test matches also. There is no difference in day-night Test matches and day Tests. It's just a different ball. They are such class players, they can win," Ganguly said.